Connecting with people requires dedication to the people at hand. This can be reached by balancing work and the rest of your life. Defining time commitments can let you focus on being in the moment. When you are with a client or working on a project, be 100% present and dedicated to the task at hand. When you are with family and friends, be 100% present and dedicated to them. Deidre Hughey of Buzz Builder has a great rule to keep work/family balance. I know Deidre from Chapel Hill Toastmasters, where she gives amazing speeches and even better evaluations to help people improve their speaking. "I have a family rule that keeps me from neglecting my family and overspending my energy. This rule states that I will not be out more than 2 nights per week. One of those nights is already taken up by spending it with my “sanity friend” on Thursday nights. By the way, I think we ALL need a “sanity friend”. I’m sure I’ll write about that one of these Thursdays."